ST. LOUIS (Jan. 14, 2008) Ã¢â‚¬â€œ As one of the hottest new products to hit markets in California and Texas cities, followed by tremendous success in Arizona, Colorado and Nebraska, Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada will arrive in convenience stores, supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide today.

Latinos, specifically those of Mexican descent, have been mixing beer with Clamato for decades. Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada honor that tradition by combining Anheuser-BuschÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s classic American-style lagers with the spicy, invigorating taste of Clamato Tomato Cocktail, made by Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB).
Due to their tremendous test market success, adults across the country are clamoring to enjoy this convenient, great-tasting drink. Ã¢â‚¬Å“This is a recipe that combines cultures and flavors,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Ana Vitrano, product manager, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Budweiser, Bud Light and Clamato are all highly respected brands that, when combined, produce the authentic-tasting recipe many Latinos love. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s la combinaciÃƒÂ³n perfecta!Ã¢â‚¬Â

A savory beer, Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada were developed with the adult consumer in mind. Budweiser, a classic American-style lager, and Bud Light, a classic American-style light lager, are the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s best-selling beers, and Hispanics have been enjoying the great taste of Clamato since its introduction in 1969.

An estimated 60 percent of all Clamato is purchased with the intention of using it as a mixer, so the combination of the three brands means the adult consumer can more easily enjoy a recipe they already love. To best enjoy Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, gently rotate the chilled can once before pouring. Then, serve cold, or pour over ice, into a traditional goblet-style glass and garnish with a slice of lime or celery stalk. Salting the rim of the glass or adding a dash of hot sauce to the beer allows adults to further customize Chelada. The beers also pair well with traditional Latino dishes such as ceviche, chicken enchiladas and tamales.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The combination of Clamato with Budweiser and Bud Light provides a refreshing beverage Ã¢â‚¬â€œ one that Clamato fans have been mixing themselves for ages,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Andrew Springate, vice president, marketing, CSAB. Ã¢â‚¬Å“This is a convenient way for consumers to enjoy the flavorful and authentic recipe theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve come to crave.Ã¢â‚¬Â

The launch of Budweiser & Clamato Chelada and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada marks the first time Anheuser-Busch and CSAB have worked together. The agreement between the two companies specifies that CSAB will supply Clamato to Anheuser-Busch for use in mixing the Budweiser and Bud Light Chelada, and that Anheuser Busch will produce, package and distribute the beers through its network of wholesalers.

The name Chelada is a shortened form of the Spanish word michelada which loosely translates to Ã¢â‚¬Ëœmy cold beer.Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ To order Budweiser or Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, one might say: Ã¢â‚¬Å“Una michelada con clamato, por favor.Ã¢â‚¬Â To shorten that but still keep the beer recognizable as the traditional recipe, Anheuser-Busch focused on the name Chelada.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“One look at the can and you know that this beer is the real thing Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Budweiser and Bud Light mixed with authentic Clamato,Ã¢â‚¬Â Vitrano said. Ã¢â‚¬Å“This is a savory beer that will appeal to adult beer drinkers, particularly those who enjoy beer mixed with Clamato.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, MexicoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the countryÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE MagazineÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the worldÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

It’s certainly being distributed there. You’ll have to check with your local store to see if they have it on the shelves. If they carry Anheuser-Busch products then it should be available through their distributor. If they don’t happen to have in stock they can get it for you.

I thought nothing got better than an ice cold Budweiser on a hot day! But then….one day I saw Chelada! Being alover of clamato juice, I thought WOW! I tried it and I LOVE it! I hope it stays and not just as a trial thing. If you love beer and tomatoe juice this is the GREATEST!!

This drink is fabulous! Very very tasty…I’ve been a Budweiser drinker for over 20 years and I’m also a Bloody Mary Drinker and this has topped any Bloody Mary I have ever made…it already has a little carbonation and I add a dash of Tabasco and my my my,..very tasty indeed…Good Job Budweiser!

i tried it today and it definitely needs lime. I wish it came in 12 oz. 24 oz is a little too much.
The ‘juice and beer” thing was popular in Pennsylvania back in the 40s and 50s. Every bar had small tomato juice and grapefruit juice behind the bar. I liked the tomato but the grapefruit turned me off.

Okay….I’ve been dying to try this and FINALLY succommbed to the urge. I wasn’t sure about this combination, even though it’s been around for years. I am a lover of V-8, Bloddy Mary’s and, of course, Bud Light. The first few sips were a little odd but it did grow on me. I then decided to “spice” it up a bit and I actually like it! I rimmed a glass with lime and seasoned salt, added a few dashes worcestershire and tabasco. Very yummy!

As far as I know it’s being distributed nationwide – at least that’s what the press release says. If your local beer store doesn’t have it in stock and on the shelves they can get some in for you in a matter of a few days.

I am in love with this stuff… I generally don’t drink but occassionally like a bloody mary. Never have I been a beer drinker. BUT THEN CAME the Chelada and I am hooked. Just enough for me and my girlfriend to share a 24oz can. love love love it! ~ Maryland

These Chelada’s are fantastic! Just the right amount of everything in the mix.It would be nice if they came in 12 and 16 ounce cans, and maybe a version with a little more lime and a little less Tabasco, but hey, why complain when one can just add a little more lime himself? Good stuff!

It is a great tasting beer. I find that late in the summer evenings I enjoy sitting outdoors drinking this beer.
At first I did not understand why I like the taste until I understood it has clam juice.

iI bought this Chelada at Costco in Central California some time back my husband loves it but I can’t seem to find this by the case anywhere and Costco does’nt seem to carry this anymore. Can you tell me where I can purchase this by the case?

Writing up this comment as I just bought a Bud Light Clamato from Safeway this evening. As one of the reviewer said, I am trying to overcome by initial reflex gags. Firstly, this beer tastes very salty, something I did not expect in a beer. Secondly after a few gulps, I have my palette and guts buring with the spiciness of this beer. I am just trashing this and switching to regular beer. Ooohh….I hate this…Anheuser-Busch should just make good regular beers and leave customization to people who can do it after market.

i love the beverage but here in eastern ky. anheiser bush makes only one pallet of it a month. that b/s i have introduced others to it and they like it as good as i do so its a rat race to get it anheiser bush needs to make more for this region so i wouldn’t have to chase the budweiser truck from store to store so i can stock up on it!!!!!!!

I’ve been drinking Clamato juice in my Bloddy Mary’s for some time now and love it over the traditional tomato juice types that are thicker. When I saw the Chilada in the store I had to try it. I wasn’t dissapointed. One suggestion to those considering trying it, pour it in a cold glass and don’t drink it from the can. There’s a major taste difference. Good job Bud… I usually don’t even drink your brand of beer but I will now that you have the Chilada!

I have been mixing clamato juice and beer for years. In Virginia where I have lived all of my life, we mix tomato juice and beer and call it red eyes. That is what you ask for when going to a bar. we put salt and pepper on top of it. I started making beer and clamato juice about 25 years ago and my friends and I started calling them clam eyes. they are awesome. They are also awesome for hangovers. It is the best mix I can drink, and it is great to make bloody marys!!

I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this beer flavor! You see, after I have a few brewskis, I tend to get hungry. That leads to foolish consumption of leftovers, snacks, etc. Yet, if I make one of these beers my last drink of the night, my hunger is satisfied.

I tried one from a gas station about 2 years ago, and have not drunk anything else since. I LOVE red beers! I drink about 4 a day, and havn’t had a cold in two years! I’ve been without at certain times, and a reguar beer just tastes like piss to me now!

In 30 years I never developed a taste for beer. Then a co-worker ( who is from Mexico) was telling me about Micheladas…..wow it sounded sooo good. The next day I was in Winn-Dixie and saw the Bud-Lite can that said “CHELADA” I WAS SO EXCITED. I bought it, came straight home and popped open the lid…um it was a little filling or heavy to me, so now i mix mine with my husbands BUD LIGHT LIME AND I LOVE IT. THIS IS MY NEW DRINK!!!

I normally don’t crave beer but I find myself craving the Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, especially on the weekends when I can relax and pop open a cold can. I like both the Budweiser and Bud Light versions but Bud Light goes down a little smoother in my opinion. Haha, my roommate isn’t too big on them but I think they are pretty refreshing, especially for someone that loves tomatoes and the bloody mary. Way to go AB!

Just had this beer in Arizona — greatest beer ever, so good I couldn’t believe it exists in America as I can never even find clam there . I love beer and clam and this ruined that for me cause buds mix is better than u could ever make yourself

I tried the budwieser Chelada this past weekend while in the US. Love the stuff but I live in Canada and I am 3 hours from the border and they don’t sell it at duty free. Does any one know if there is a way I can get it up here? I can only bring back a case if I stay in the US for 48 hours but that case wouldn’t last me a weekend, and of course it’s not real convenient to drive 6 hours for one case! I can make it but really if it’s all ready in cans why bother!!!!
Help

Im Mexican, and we ahve been mixing Clamato and beer for decades. (That’s a traditional drink called Chavela). I recently had a bud light Chelada and let me tell you!!! its just PERFECT! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!!!

I discovered this tonight at my local Mexican Market (Jons). I found it overpriced, but I love it! Will it ever come to the Los Angeles area where you can purchase it in twenty four, twelve packs or six packs as opposed to individual cans??? I’d gladly like to see it in all markets I shop.